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Description
The overall goal of the project is to strengthen democratic culture and civic awareness by reducing homo/bi/transphobia in the education and to improve the position of LGBTIQ youth. Target groups are: youth, LGBTIQ youth, school professionals, educational institutions, CSOs, government institutions and general public. Project specific objectives are: 1) To build the capacity of CSOs and educational institutions to combat homo/bi/ transphobia in education and to implement education on human rights of LGBTI people,2. To provide support and empower LGBTIQ youth and3. To strengthen the advocacy position of CSOs in order to improve public policies and programmes and the effective protection of children and youth in the education.The implementation of trainings for CSOs and school professionals and lectures for students will strengthen the capacity of CSOs and educational institutions to combat bullying in schools and the implementation of education on human rights and encourage cross-sectoral cooperation. The development of digital educational resources for combating HBT an providing support for LGBTI youth will enable their accessibility in deprived areas. The support for LGBTI youth will be ensured through establishment of groups, workshops, psychosocial and legal support, and the empowerment of young people for active civic action. The project will also enable greater influence on policies in education through development of advocacy resources. In support of advocating for reform, analysis of international directives and guidelines related to combating homo/bi/transphobia in education will be conducted, as well as analysis of textbooks and curricula, and recommendations will be presented to decision makers and public bodies.
Summary of project results
Sexual orientation and gender identity/expression are the basis of discrimination, stigmatisation and marginalisation in the education system. Peer violence leaves serious consequences on psychosocial health of young people and their success in school. School professionals do not possess adequate knowledge about LGBTI topics and often are as well victims of prejudice. There is a lack of national policies aimed at combating homo/bi/transphobia in education. LGBTI youth needs support, and sources of support are often CSOs, with the need to strengthen their capacity. The overall goal of the project is to strengthen democratic culture and civic awareness by reducing homo/bi/transphobia in the education and to improve the position of LGBTIQ youth. Target groups are: youth, LGBTIQ youth, school professionals, educational institutions, CSOs, government institutions and general public. Project specific objectives are: 1) To build the capacity of CSOs and educational institutions to combat homo/bi/ transphobia in education and to implement education on human rights of LGBTI people,2. To provide support and empower LGBTIQ youth and3. To strengthen the advocacy position of CSOs in order to improve public policies and programmes and the effective protection of children and youth in the education.The implementation of trainings for CSOs and school professionals and lectures for students will strengthen the capacity of CSOs and educational institutions to combat bullying in schools and the implementation of education on human rights and encourage cross-sectoral cooperation. The development of digital educational resources for combating HBT an providing support for LGBTI youth will enable their accessibility in deprived areas. The support for LGBTI youth will be ensured through establishment of groups, workshops, psychosocial and legal support, and the empowerment of young people for active civic action. The project will also enable greater influence on policies in education through development of advocacy resources. In support of advocating for reform, analysis of international directives and guidelines related to combating homo/bi/transphobia in education will be conducted, as well as analysis of textbooks and curricula, and recommendations will be presented to decision makers and public bodies
The capacities of 10 civil society organizations (CSOs) were strengthened to deliver education on LGBTI human rights in educational institutions. These CSOs are from 7 different cities across 3 counties, including 3 from the disadvantaged Osijek-Baranja County. They began using their new knowledge to initiate educational activities in their local communities.
In the project''s second year, 22 teachers, school counselors, and principals were empowered to deliver educational activities on LGBTI human rights, strengthening the capacities of 18 schools from 8 counties in Croatia, 5 of which are disadvantaged (Osijek-Baranja, Krapina-Zagorje, Karlovac, Sisak-Moslavina, and Brod-Posavina). After participating in a capacity-building program (including training and mentorship from the LORI association), some CSO members and teachers actively implemented educational activities on LGBTI human rights.
Throughout the project, 44 educational activities were conducted with high school students in 5 Croatian counties, increasing the knowledge of 803 students on LGBTI human rights (including hate crime awareness). As a direct result of capacity-building activities, LGBTI human rights education was introduced for the first time in institutions like the Economic School in Osijek and the primary school in Lobor, while IDAHOBIT Day was marked in Pula Gymnasium. The importance of these activities is reflected in student feedback, with one Osijek student saying, "I''m glad someone finally talked about this openly in school."
A key achievement was the first-time collaboration between the association "Dugine obitelji" and schools in Zagreb. Through additional project activities like workshops and training, the association empowered educators with tools to combat homo/bi/transphobia and promote an inclusive and safe environment for all youth.
Another significant achievement was the development of a new website for the LORI association, featuring over 15 educational resources on LGBTI issues and human rights, including lesson plans and publications, and more than 10 resources for informing and empowering LGBTI youth. Information about these resources and other project activities was sent to over 700 educational institutions in Croatia. Additionally, a new method of support was launched through the website, allowing LGBTI youth to seek peer and psychological support via a web form.
As part of this project, the LORI Association and Dugine Obitelji established LGBTIQ youth groups in Rijeka and Zagreb for the first time, and both groups continued their work after the formal project ended. In Rijeka, the youth group has been growing organically, setting its own goals and striving for long-term advocacy in protecting LGBTI human rights. In Zagreb, the support group for LGBTI youth has become particularly active, offering a safe and supportive space for young people facing challenges related to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Through regular meetings and activities, the youth had the opportunity to connect with peers with similar experiences, gaining empowerment and support in their personal development and in overcoming obstacles.
Key achievements in Work Package 3 of the project include developing a network of collaborators focused on combating homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia in education, and strengthening the advocacy position of CSOs to improve public policies, programs, and the effective protection of children and youth in the education system.
The main findings from research conducted during this project (including needs assessments of LGBTIQ youth in education, an analysis of school textbooks and curricula, and international documents and recommendations) were summarized in a document sent to over 40 relevant bodies (including the Office of the President, government representatives, ministries, parliamentary committees, parliamentary clubs, and EU parliament members). This document will serve as the foundation for further advocacy to bring about changes in the education system.
The project achieved all planned results, with some targets even exceeded. In the first work package, the number of students participating in educational activities on LGBTI rights more than doubled, including in two underprivileged counties. A key added value of the project was the dissemination of knowledge by teachers and activists who participated in capacity-building activities, which they then implemented in other projects. For instance, exercises used by LORI for sensitizing on LGBTIQ+ topics were incorporated into teacher education programs in Zagreb, and LORI was invited to hold additional trainings on LGBTIQ+ issues in the "GOOD School" initiative.
Unexpected results included extra training sessions delivered at the request of the County Expert Councils in Zagreb and Krapina-Zagorje for dormitory educators and philosophy teachers, stemming from contacts made during project activities. Another significant outcome was the inclusion of LGBTIQ+ topics in a national psychology conference after a participant in the training advocated for it.
A major unforeseen achievement was the development of a new website for LORI, which was not originally planned but became necessary due to the outdated technology of the previous site. This new site now offers digital resources for schools, NGOs, and LGBTIQ+ youth empowerment.
The collaboration between Dugine Obitelji and LORI also led to new partnerships, such as the "Dugin put" project with BONSAI, aimed at strengthening the capacities of LGBTIQ youth in Dubrovnik. Additionally, synergies with the MODUS project further strengthened LORI’s anti-homophobia efforts in schools, facilitating new networks and collaborations, including LORI’s first lecture on LGBTIQ topics at a primary school in 2022, enabled by contacts made through MODUS activities.
Summary of bilateral results
In the area of Communication and Relations with the Environment, the partner organization Norsensus Mediaforum conducted training on media literacy and public relations, focusing on strategic storytelling. Additionally, training on mentoring and support in media and social media communication was provided. Both trainings were valuable, and the acquired knowledge was implemented into the organization''s work (e.g., changing the way news is written, introducing story posts for the first time, better targeting of specific audiences), which resulted in increased reach of posts and the number of followers on social media.